Gas cock or valve



I A June 6, 1939.

H. MOECKER. JR., ET AL GAS cocx OR VALVE 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Febfs, 193,8

June 1939. H MOECKER. JR., ET AL 2,161,523

GAS COCK OR VALVE Filed Feb. 5, 1958 I 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS COCK R VALVE tion of New Jersey Application February 3, 1938, Serial No. 188,548

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved gas cock or valve, and is of a construction to provide what is commonly referred to in the art as a hi-low valve, or what is sometimes referred to as a simmer-set valve or cock.

The present improved cock has been conceived primarily for use in connection with the cooking top burners of a gas cooking range although it is not to be understood that the invention is limited to this particular use. In gas stoves it has been found to be highly desirable to provide a gas cook by which the operator of the cooking range can rapidly, conveniently and assuredly set the cock to deliver a limited amount of fuel to the gas burner to obtain a low flame.

We recognize that we are not the first to broadly conceive of a gas cook in which the above can be accomplished but we believe that our gas cook contains improved features over those heretofore known and in use and that with our cock a more convenient and assured operation can be obtained than is possible with cocks as heretofore known and used. 7

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved gas cock by the use of which an operator can without visible inspection set the cock to deliver a predetermined minimum amount of fuel to a burner so that said burner will be burning at low flame and will act as a simmer burner.

An object incidental to the previously stated object is that of providing a novel and improved simmer-set indicating means in combination with thegock which indicating means is ascertainable by feel or touch to the operator of the cock.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a gas cock or valve which in one position of setting permits a full flow of fuel to outlet and the second position of setting permits only a limited flow of fuel to outlet and in which the limited flow of fuel is not bypassed around the valve but to the contrary passes directly through the valve itself.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel and conveniently positioned means for regulating as desired the amount. of fuel passing through the valve when the same is set to deliver a minimum fuel to the valve outlet.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pair of washers or the like which combine in operation to provide a definite limit of movement of'the valve and to provide a means for indicating when the valve is set to deliver a reduced 55 flair of fuel.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of a pair of washers for the purpose above specified and in which one washer is locked against rotation and the other is definitely rotated and in which one washer moves axially while the other washer has no axial movement.

Another and still further object of the invention is the inclusion of a pair of washers in a cock of the type described wherein one washer moves over the'other freely in one direction of movement but is subjected to a yieldable retarding action to movement in the opposite direction.

Other specific objects, novel features ofgconstruction and improved results of the. inver'ftion will appear in more detail from the following" description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a cock built in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the cock, the cock being shown in a closed position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the cock, the cock being shown in the simmer-set position.

, Fig. 4 is an end view of the cock in its closed position.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the cock showing the manner of application of the housing cap thereto.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the simmer-set designating washers.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the other combined simmer-set and stop washer.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the cock operating handle.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a modified form of the invention, the cock being shown in its simmer-set" position.

Fig. 10 is an end view of the cock appearing in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view through the cock appearing in Fig. 9, the cock being shown in a fully open position.

Fig. 12 is a strung-out perspective view illustrating the manner of assembly of the washers on the cock operating stem.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view, partly in vertical section, illustrating the application of a modified form of a cock operating handle to the cock stem.

Referring now to the drawings and describing that form of the invention appearing in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings, A designates a tub"- 75 to rapid accessibility to the nut head I! lar and hollow valve or cook fitting having an interior tapered bore I which rotatably receives a taperedvalve plug '3 having therein a transverse passageway 2 adapted for registry with an inlet bore or passageway 3 formed as a part of the housing and a communicating longitudinal passageway 4 which is at all times in communication with the outlet passageway 5 provided in the jet end 6 of the housing.

As the jet portion of the housing or cock forms no part of the present invention detailed description of it will be'omitted.

As is conventional in combination with cocks used for'the purpose of the present cock, 9. main supply gas manifold designated as C is in communication with the inlet 3 of the cock and the cock itself is mounted behind a stove panel or the like which is indicated at D while the cock operating handle is designated at E and is disposed exterior of the panel and conveniently at hand for operation. Cocks of this kind are close coupled with the result that the outer end of the cock plug or housing is closely adjacent the inner face of the stove front panel D.

The communicating passageways 2 and 4 of the valve plug heretofore referred to are the main passageways and are utilized when a full flow of fuel is desired. Inasmuch as the present cock is designed to provide delivery of a limited amount of fuel so that the burner can be operated as a simmer-set burner, a supplemental fuel passageway through the valve plug is .provided. The supplemental passageway through the valve or cock plug B is in the form of a small transverse bore I the outer end of which is adapted for registry and communication with the flared or enlarged inner end 8 of the main fuel inlet passageway 3 of the plug. At its inner end the small transverse bore I of the plug communicates with a longitudinally disposed chamber 9 in the lower end of which is a tapered valve seat l having a centrally disposed opening which communicates with the main longitudinal outlet passageway 4 of the plug by means of a short longitudinal bore or passageway ll.

As is more or less conventional the tapered plug B at its large end is provided with an extending operating shaft or shank F. The hereinbefore referred to chamber 9 extends throughout the length of this operating shaft or shank and within the chamber and threadedly mounted therein for longitudinal movement of the shank we have provided a needle valve N which is cooperative with the tapered valve seat In and affords a means for definitely controlling the amount of fuel which is delivered through the tapered plug valve when the plug is in the simmer-set position as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Ordinarily when this needle valve has once been set further adjustment of it would be made only on rare occasions. To afford a means however of adjustment when and if necessary the upper end of the needle valve extends outwardly beyond the end of the plug operating shank and terminates in a nut or head l2.

The arrangement just described is considered" to be particularly advantageous. The adjusting nut I2 is exteriorly positioned in respect to the' stove front panel D-where it is readily accessible without in any way dismantling the cock or any h The cock operating part of the stove or range. handle E is quickly detachable, as will be explained, from the extending end of the valve op-' erating shaft F whereby it affords no impedance for ad-;

justing the needle valve, yet at the same time the adjusting means for the needle valve is completely and adequately protected against tampering or accidental disturbance by the normal and natural use to which the cock is subjected.

Throughout its length the valve operating shank or shaft F is provided with oppositely disposed keyways l3 and M. The keyway I4 is of greater width than the keyway l3 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.. The operating handle E is provided with a chamber G into which the extreme outer end of the valve operating shaft or shank F extends and within which is protectively disposed the needle valve operating nut l2. Within this chamber the valve handle is provided with a substantially U-shaped spring I the extending legs of which are outwardly bent as at It and I! so that they extend into and resiliently engage the bottom of the shaft keyways I3 and M. This construction provides the quick detachable operating handle before referred to,

yet at the same time provides an assured means of obtaining definite rotative movement of the shaft and the valve plug B when it is desired to set the cock in its several selective positions for the delivery of fuel in different amounts.

In the particular form of the invention now i verse the axis of the shaft. The face plate of the cap is cut out to provide shoulders 20 and 2| which are adapted, when the cap is in place on the housing, to abut the shoulders 22 and 23 which constitute the terminating walls of a segmental cut-out in one side of the valve housing at its large end.

The cap in its side edges is milled to provide oppositely positioned cut-out portions the bottoms of which are wing-like members designated as 24 and 25 and which terminate at their front ends in vertical walls which constitute shoulders 26 and 29.

The large end of the valve housing or fitting A is provided with a second segmental cut-out portion oppositely disposed to the one heretofore mentioned and which terminates in shoulders 21 and 28. The walls of the large end of the plug which separate the segmental cut-outs are undercut or milled as designated in dotted lines at 30 and 3| in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner of applying the cap, and Fig. 4 of the drawings the position the cap'assumes after it has been applied to the valve housing. From these figures of the drawings it will be seen that the cap is slid over or threaded upon the valve operating stem and then slid transversely of the end of the valve housing. The end 32 of the cap face is' slightly depressed during the transversemovement of the cap and when the cap is completely across the end of the plug, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the cap is allowed to rise .under the action of the coil spring 33, as will hereafter more fully' appear,

operating stem'F. With the valve in its applied tions 24 and 25 of the cap are disposed in the milled slots 30 and 3| of the housing walls which will prevent any axial movement of the cap in respect to the valve operating stem.

Additional provision is made to guard against displacement of the valve cap and to lock it against movement in a direction axial of the Valve. housing or the valve operating stem. This additional provision is accomplished by providing the valve cap with a depending skirt portion 34 which is adapted to parallel the outer face of the large end of the valve housing and which adjacent its lower end is provided with an opening 35 which telescopically receives a pin 36 formed on the valve housing adjacent its large open end, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The large end of the tapered plug valve B is in separated relationship to the valve housing cap H with'the result that between them there is formed a chamber K within the large end of the valve housing. Within this chamber and coaxially disposed in respect to the valve operating shaft are positioned the herein referred to coil spring 33 and the simmer-set designating washer L and its cooperating stop washer M. The large end of the tapered plug B is provided with a circumferential-groove 31 within which is seated one end of the coil spring while the other end of the coil spring bears against the under and flat side of the simmer-set designating washer L upon which washer in turn is superimposed its cooperating stop washer M. The construction is suchthat the coil spring 33 urges the two washers into constant engagement under resilient tension and at all times holds the stop washer M against the under side or. face of the valve housing cap H. The construction is such that the simmer-set designating washer L will and does move axially in respect to the valve operating stem while the I stop washer does not move axially of the stem.

Specific description of the construction and operation of the two washers-will now be given and can best be followed by reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.

The two washers are threaded over the operating stem F of the rotary tapered plug with the washer L innermost, as appears in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings.

operating shaft F is freely rotatable. The major portion of the washer is of a diameter to fit within the end of the valve housing A but is provided throughout a portion of its peripheral edge with an enlarged segmental portion 39 terminating in shoulders 40 and 4|. This extending segmental portion 33 seats within the segmental cut-out portion of the end of the valve housing lying between the shoulders 22 and 23 against which the shoulders 40 and 4| of the washer abut with the result that this washer is held against rotary movement as the valve operating shaft F is rotated in it by manipulation of the operating handle E.

On its outer face this washer is provided with diametrically opposed and outwardly extending cam-like members having gradual cam faces 42 and 43 and comparatively steep cam faces 44 and 45. The gradual cam faces face or are opposed to a movement in a clockwise direction while the a steep cam'faces face or are opposed to a movement in a counterclockwise direction.

The washer M is of a diameter to fit within the The washer L is provided centrally with a circular opening 38 in which the circular end of the valve casing and is provided at its outer perimetral edge with a segmental shaped projection or lug 46 which extends into the same segmental cut-out portion of the valve casing that the extension 39 of the washer L extends. That is to say, the stop lug 46 moves between the shoulders 22 and 23 of the valve casing and will permit only a ninety degree rotation of the tapered plug valve in respect to the valve housing.

The washer M is centrally provided with an opening 41 into which extend diametrically opposed tongues or lugs 48 and 49. In threading this washer upon the operating stem F the narrow tongue 48 and the wide tongue-49 slide in the respective wide and narrow keyways I3 and I4.

This assures that this washer can only be assembled on the stem in proper operative relationship thereto. On its inner face this washer is provided with diametrically opposed indentures or cam-like depressions of a configuration to receive the cam-like extensions carried on the outer face of the washer L. The result of this is that the cam-like depressions at one side have a gradual inward slope 50 and at their other side a quite steeply inclined outward slope 5|.

By reason of the engagement of the tongues 48 and 49 with the keyways l3 and I4 of the valve operating shaft it will be evident that this washer M rotates with the valve plug and that when the plug is rotated through the operating handle E that the stop lug 46 will definitely limit the plug valve B to ninety degrees of rotation as has been heretofore mentioned.

A short description of the operation of the cock will now be given. In Fig. 4 of the drawings the cock is illustrated in a closed position. The stop lug 46 of the stop washer M is in abutment with the wall or shoulder at one end of the segmental cut-out in which this lug moves.

To open the valve the operating handle is turned in a clockwise direction; Rotation in this direction is limited to ninety degrees at which time the main transverse passageway 2 of the plug valve will be in alignment with the main inlet 3 of the valve casing and a full flow of fuel will be going through the cock.

In rotating the plug from an open to a closed position the stop washer M is rotated over the stationary simmer-set designating washer L. The stop washer M in its rotative movement over the washer L has at one point of its movement caused the cams of the designating washer to enter the depressions of the stop washer, but due to the fact that as the stop washer M moves in a clockwise direction the gradual faces 42 and 43 of the cam on the designating washer ride over the gradual sloping walls or sides 50 of the indentures in the stop washer, there was no tendency whatsoever to arrest the movement of the stop washer with the result that the operator would turn the cock to a completely open position.

It is desirable to open the cock fully before attempting to set the burner for a simmer-set flame. To obtain the simmer-set flame the operator moves the operating handle in a counterclockwise direction, that is, in a direction to close the cock, and when the parts reach the positions illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings the operator will feel a very definite arrest or resistance to a continued rotative movement of the valve plug. This is due to the fact that a continued counterclockwise rotative movement can only be obtained by causing the steep walls 44 and 45 0f the cams to ride up the steep inclinations 5| of the indentures in the stop washer M.

Thus the operator of 'the valve by feeling this arrest to the rotative movement of the cock towards a closed position will definitely be advised that the cock has reached a position to deliver the proper amount of fuel to maintain a simmerset or low flame at the burner. The operator will be advised of this without the necessity of looking at the flame, which is advantageous in that the flame is diflicult to see in that it is ordinarily hidden under a utensil. Fig. 3 of the drawings make it clear that when the cams of the indicating or designating washer L are in registry with the indentures of the stop washer gas is passing to the burner only from the inlet passageways 3 of the cock housing and 1 of the rotary plug and that the discharge of fuel through the cock is definitely under the control of the needle valve N.

Although the simmer-set position of the cock as arrived at as above described offers a definite resistance to the rotative movement of the cock to a closed position an additional pressure or force upon the cock operating handle E will cause the cams of the indicating washer L to ride out of the indentures of the stop washer and permit the cock to be moved to a completely closed position.

Thus it will be seen that the simmer-set position or setting of the cock can be obtained without the necessity of a visual inspection of the burner flame but that this can be accomplished only in operating the cock first to an open and then towards a closed position. This manner of operation is thought to be highly desirable and will be recognized as such by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive of the drawings and describing a second form of the invention, it will be seen that there is great similarity between the second form of the invention and the first form which has already previously been described. As a consequence many of the numerals and designating letters used in connection with the description of the first form are applied to similar parts in the second form of the invention.

One difference of the second form from the first form resides in the construction of the extending operating stem of the plug valve B and in the simmer-set designating and stop washers.

The elongated and extending operating shaft or shank of the rotary plug B is designated as an entirety by P and by reference to Fig. 12 of the drawings it will be seen that this shaft is round or circular in cross sectional configuration but is provided with oppositely disposed fiat sides 60 and 6!. The fiat side BI is of greater depth or width than the fiat side 60.

The simmer-set designating washer is designated as an entirety at Q and the stop washer as an entirety at'R, and by reference to Fig. 12 of the drawings it will be seen that the designating washer is provided with the same segmental or arc shaped extending portion 39 having at its end the shoulders 4|! and 4| and with the same circular central opening 38. In this instance however the outer face of the washer which abuts the stop washer R instead of being provided with upwardly or outwardly extending or protruding cam-like members is provided with cam-like indentures having one gradual wall 62 and a steep wall 63. At its opposite side the washer behind these indentures is bulged outwardly or downwardly as indicated at 64.

The stop washer R is provided with the same outwardly extending segmental shaped lug 46 but on its inner face is provided with cam-like members such as the cam-like members heretofore described in the first form. of the invention as being carried by the designating washer. These cams are of the proper configuration to cooperate with the indentures in the designating Washer and it will be clearly seen that they have gradual faces 65 and steep faces 66. This washer at its opposite side behind the cams is depressed as indicated at 61. The central opening 68 of this washer is of the same configuration as the cross sectional shape of the valve plug operating stem P with the result that this washer can not be other than correctly assembled on the stem and with the further result that this washer will definitely rotate with the stem as the stem is rotated just as it will be clearly understood that the stem rotates freely in the circular opening 38 of the designating washer.

In assembling the cock a plain circular washer S is interposed between the outer end of the spring 33 and the designating washer'Q.

The cock operating handle is designated at T and comprises the main handle portion 69 and an inner hub-like portion Ill. The hub portion is' provided with an opening H of the same configuration as the cross sectional shape of the valve plug operating stem P while the main handle portion 69 is provided with a chamber 12 to receive the adjusting nut i2 carried at the outer end of the needle valve N. The hub is provided with a spring 13 of leaf-like form to provide the required frictional engagement between the operating handle and the stem so as to prevent accidental displacement or removal of the nut. The construction affords the same ready and quick detachable features and attributes of the handle described in respect to the first form of the -invention.

The cap utilized in this form of the invention is slightly different from that heretofore described. In Fig. 12 the large open end of the valve housing clearly appears and it will be seen that I4 designates the segmental cut-out in the wall of the housing for the reception of the enlarged portion 38 of the designating washer Q and in which is also located the stop washer lug 46. It will be further seen that the housing at its opposite side is provided with an extending ear 15 provided with a threaded opening 16. Below the cutout 14 the housing is provided with an outwardly extending pin 36 similar to the same pin of the first form of the invention. The cap itself is designated as an entirety by V and has an outer face 11 and a depending skirt portion 18 which is provided with an opening to receive the housing pin 36. The face 11 of the cap has an ear portion l3.which when the cap is properly in place overlies the ear of the housing and the cap is secured in position by a suitable screw or bolt 80.

The operation of the cock in this second form being similar to that of the preferred form no description of the operation is considered necessary. In operation there will be the identical resistance to a movement of the cock to a closed position,

after it has once been opened, as has been de scribed in respect to the first form of the invention while there is no perceptible resistance to the movement of the cock from a closed to an open position.

The specific cap for the end of the cock body illustrated in respect to both the first and second form of the invention is the subject matter of a.

separate and co-pending application assigned to theassignee of the present application.

We have found it to be a much better construction and a construction which will provide a device of lasting accuracy to lock the floating washer, that is the washer which moves axially of the valve operating stem, against rotation and to carry the stop means for the limit of rotation of the valve plug on the wash-er which does not move axially.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the needle valve or metering arrangement of the present invention is, a vast improvement over anything now known or in use in that the adjusting means for the needle valve is disposed externally of the stove front plate or panel and is therefore immediately available without in any way dismantling the stove or the cock itself. The cock operating handle is made to have a quick detachable connection with the valve stem and upon its removal the needle valve setting means is immediately exposed for manipulation by an operator.

It will also be understood in respect to the structure illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive that the cams could be carried on the inner washer Q and the seats for the cams on the outer washer R without departing from the spirit of the invention. The placing of the cams on the inner washer and the cam seats on the outer washer is illustrated in the construction appearing in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawings.

We claim:

1. An improved simmer-set gas valve comprising a housing having a longitudinally disposed gas outlet thereinand also a gas inlet, a rotatable longitudinally disposed plug within said housing the plug having its inner end provided with a main gas passageway which has its inner end communicating with said housing outlet and its opposite end placed in and out of communication with said housing inlet by oscillating the plug, said plug having a transverse simmerset gas passageway therein at an angle to said housing outlet and its inner end in communication with said housing outlet, said plug having its outer end extending beyond said housing and carrying a handle and the plug carrying a longitudinal adjustable member controlling said simmer-set passageway.

2. A simmer-set gas valve constructed as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing and said plug carry at their outer ends yieldable means which indicate when said plug has its main gas passageway and its simmer-set gas passageway in communication with said housing inlet for the purpose of indicating when said housing inlet is in and out of communication with the main gas passageway and with the simmer-set passageway of the plug.

3. An improved simmer-set gas cook comprising, a cock body having an inlet and an outlet passageway therethrough, a rotatable plug valve having an outlet passageway constantly in communication with the outlet of said cock and provided with a connecting main inlet passageway adapted for selective communication with the body gas inlet, a by-pass gas passageway in the plug adapted to be placed in communication with the body gas inlet, said by-pass gas passageway of the plug having communication with the gas outlet passageway of the plug, the arrangement being such that the cock body gas inlet passageway can be closed by the plug or that whenthe gas inlet passageway of the cock and the main inlet of the plug are in communication the bypass gas passageway is closed and vice versa, an operating stem for said plug valve, a needle valve in said stem having adjusting means disposed beyond the outer end of said stem, and said needle valve being disposed within the by-pass passageway of the plug and adapted to meter passage of gas from the plug by-pass passageway to the plug outlet passageway.

4. An improved gas cock comprising, a body having an inlet passageway, a plug valve having a main inlet and a by-pass inlet adapted for selective communication with the inlet passageway of the cock body, a cap at one end of said cock body, an operating stem for said plug extending through said cap, apair of washers in superposed relationship arranged on said stem and positioned at the inner side of said 'cap, yieldable means normally urging said washers into face to face engagement and the outer washer into engagement with the inner face of said cap, one of said washers being keyed to said cock body to lock the washer against rotation and the other of said washers being keyed to said stem to rotate therewith, a cam-like member carried by one of said washers and a cam-shapedseat in the adjacent face of said other washer, said cam and its seat being so shaped as to permit free rotation of the stem in a direction to open passage through the plug and to yieldably arrest rotation of the stem in a direction to close the passageways through the plug, and said yieldable arrest to the rotative movement of the stem occurring when the by-pass passageway of the plug is in communication with the inlet passageway of the cock 'body, whereby the communications of these openings can be determined by feel only when the stem is operated to move the plug to a closed position.

5. A construction such as defined in claim 4, wherein the cock body is provided with an arcuate shaped cut-out portion terminating at its ends in shoulders, and the washer which is keyed to the valve stem is provided with an outwardly extending lug disposed in said cut-out portion to provide means to limit the rotative movement of the stem and plug.

6. An improved gas cock comprising, a cock body having an inlet and. an outlet passageway therethrough, a rotatable plug valve having an outlet passageway constantly in communication with the outlet of said cock and provided with a main connecting passageway adapted for selective communication with the body gas inlet, a by-pass gas passageway in the plug, said by-pass gas passageway of the plug having communication with the main gas outlet passageway of the plug and adapted to be placed in communication with the body gas inlet, the arrangement being such that said cock body gas inlet passageway can be closed by the plug or that when the gas inlet passageway of the cock and the main connecting passageway of the plug are in communication the by-pass gas passageway is closed and vice versa, a chamber in said cock body at one end thereof beyond the plug valve, a cover for said chamber, an operating stem for said plug extending through said chamber and outwardly through said cap, a pair of washers on said stem and within said chamber, resilient means normally urging said washers in face to face relationship and towards the cover of said chamber, the outermost washer having on its inner face a cam-like extension, the innermost washer having on its irmer face a depression of a configuration similar to that of the aforementioned cam, the outermost washer being rotatable with the stem and the innermost washer being locked against rotation with the stem and axially movable on the stem as the cam rides out of the indenture carried by said innermost washer, a pair of shoulders in separated relationship on the walls of said chamber, a lug carried by the outermost washer and movable between said shoulders to provide a stop to the degree of rotation of said stem, the said washers oflering no resistance to 

